SXSW Eco tackles global design challenges

SXSW Eco is in essence an annual summit, which looks to find solutions – mainly through social design – to those big global challenges which pick away at the fabric of society, the economy, and the natural world.

It is worth pointing out – and you’ve probably already noticed – that it’s brought to you by the same people behind SXSW, the annual festival that has the music industry falling over itself to find the next big thing.

Both events are held in Austin Texas, and the Eco summit, which takes place over three days, looks to evolve ‘actionable and profitable solutions.’

A packed schedule awaits those attending including a keynote from Shepard Fairey under the lofty title Art Will Save The World.

Design itself is one of several overriding themes and if you hit ‘design’ and ‘keynote’ on the schedule filter, this comes up spelling out plans for talks on biomimicry, urban design, and data visualization among other things.

New this year is Place By Design, a public space design competition, which celebrates innovation and rethinking of public spaces. The finalists have just been announced and they are all invited to exhibit.